You should be able to claim the ENTIRE mortgage interest as they let you on primary homes.

Most mortgage companies will not call loan due if payments are current but you do run that risk and need to be prepared to payoff or refi at a moments notice.

What is the compelling reason for them to pick you, with your competitive rates, over someone else they've already been using with competitive rates? 

I have found 1st lien mortgages to be very profitable.

Hard money loans can be an option, but they often come with high-interest rates and short repayment terms.

PS Rochester and Buffalo were ground zero for much of this stuff also there were groups buying those homes for 10k packaging them up and selling them for 80k to investors from England. the city / state finally cracked down on that and there was some folks that got in trouble on the criminal side of it.. you can google it.. wont mention names but you can find it if you dig deep enoughBut this is nothing new.. buying hood rates for pennies and selling them for dollars to foreigners and unsuspecting out of state folks. 

I can mark it up with a fee or by increasing the rate (or both, but I never do).

If it's currently an STR they should be able to provide you with the p/l statement from prior years so you can see gross rents, operating expenses, average daily rates and occupancy levels.

When you sell a property that has been depreciated, the IRS requires you to "recapture" the depreciation deductions, taxing that portion of the gain at ordinary income tax rates.

This means you can sell, lease, or pass on the property as you see fit, just like any other property owner.Full Ownership RightsYou have the same rights as a Mexican property owner, including the ability to sell, lease, transfer, or mortgage the propertyLegal SecurityThe Bank Trust is a well-established legal mechanism in Mexico, ensuring your investment is secure and protected under Mexican law.Renewable TermsThe trust is set up for 50 years and can be renewed indefinitely, allowing you and future generations to maintain control over the property.Estate PlanningThe trust makes it easier to pass the property on to heirs, simplifying the inheritance process and reducing potential legal complications.Although the process might initially seem complex, it is entirely managed and supervised by a reputable banking entity.